Lessons for Black Entrepreneurs and Legacy Builders

By “Listening to Black Women” Staff

For decades, Beyoncé has been the embodiment of artistic excellence, strategic marketing, and unmatched business acumen. She’s a cultural force, admired for her ability to dominate industries and rewrite the rules. But there’s another facet of Beyoncé’s career that deserves attention—a quality that is just as deliberate, if not more so, than her musical and marketing prowess: her commitment to uplifting Blackness.

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Beyoncé’s career has always been rooted in celebrating Black culture, but in recent years, this mission has become even more pronounced. Her latest performance on Christmas Day was a testament to this. In a show resembling a Super Bowl halftime spectacle, Beyoncé delivered a masterclass in centering Black voices, traditions, and excellence.

Beyoncé’s entrance alone set the tone. She opened with “Blackbird,” a song that pays homage to Black women in the Civil Rights Movement—a powerful and intentional choice that framed the performance as more than entertainment. It was a tribute.

But she didn’t stop there. She brought Black women country artists—often excluded from the mainstream spotlight—to the stage, elevating their artistry and ensuring their voices were heard alongside hers.

The inclusion of Texas Southern University’s marching band, a cornerstone of HBCU culture, further amplified her commitment to showcasing Black excellence in education and the arts. And by highlighting Shaboozey, a rising Black country artist who has been overlooked by the industry despite his success, Beyoncé extended her platform to those who deserve recognition but are denied it.

Even her nod to Black cowboy culture—a tradition often erased from popular narratives—felt deeply intentional. As someone who grew up witnessing the excellence of Black equestrians, including my father’s pioneering contributions in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions, I know how important it is to preserve and celebrate these histories.

Finally, by making space for her daughter to share this monumental platform, Beyoncé demonstrated what legacy-building looks like. She wasn’t just celebrating her own accomplishments; she was setting an example of generational empowerment.

While Beyoncé’s performance was rooted in artistry, it holds valuable lessons for Black business owners and creatives. It’s a blueprint for how to build success while staying deeply connected to your culture and your people.

• Embrace Your Identity: Beyoncé’s career proves that you don’t need to dilute your culture to achieve greatness. Her success is a reminder that leaning into your identity is not a limitation—it’s a strength.

• Prioritize Collaboration Over Competition: Beyoncé regularly shares her platform with others, demonstrating that there’s room for everyone to thrive. This spirit of collaboration amplifies impact and creates opportunities for collective growth.

• Center Blackness Without Apology: Beyoncé’s work unapologetically celebrates Blackness, and her achievements show that centering Black people in your work isn’t just powerful—it’s sustainable and profitable.

As 2024 comes to a close, we stand on the edge of a new political and cultural era. The rejection of Blackness remains a pervasive reality, making it more important than ever to embrace and elevate who we are.

This is a moment that calls for unity and boldness—the kind of unity Kwanzaa’s first principle, Umoja, speaks to. Beyoncé’s example challenges us not to shrink from our identities but to step more fully into them, using our platforms to create space for others while securing our legacies.

The lesson here is not just about resilience but about transformation. As we navigate shifting landscapes, the goal isn’t to mourn closed doors but to focus on opening new ones. When done with intention, success isn’t just personal—it becomes communal.

What lies ahead doesn’t look like our past, nor should it. The future is a space we have the power to shape—a reality where we center our histories, celebrate our identities, and build legacies that reflect the fullness of who we are.

Beyoncé has shown us what’s possible when you root yourself in your culture and uplift others along the way. It’s a model for how to thrive as a business owner, creative, or leader in your field.

As we prepare for the year ahead, let’s take this lesson to heart: leaning into our identities isn’t just an act of defiance—it’s a path to greatness. Let’s rise unapologetically into the fullness of who we are and build a future where Blackness is not just celebrated but prioritized.

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